We’re looking for seasonal gardeners to join our small, dedicated garden team based at our 13-acre gardens in Shipley. In our extensive gardens, we grow over 50 medicinal plants, ranging from trees like Birch and Thuja, shrubs and hedgerow bushes like Blackthorn and Hawthorn, field crops of Calendula, Oats, and Chamomile, plus smaller quantities of herbs, wildflowers, vegetables, and weeds!
Initial cultivation for the field crops is done mechanically; everything else is done by hand. Some plants are grown in beds, while others are grown extensively in meadows or in our woodland edges. We are completely organic, using Biodynamic methods with Demeter certification.
As well as sowing, planting, weeding, and making compost, the garden team also does the harvesting and making of fresh plant tinctures, following strict Good Manufacturing Practice. Harvested amounts can vary from 1 – 200kg per day!
The hours of work will be 37.5 hours per week, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday, along with weekend watering through the growing season. The duration of the position is approximately seven months, commencing April – October 2025.
Key Responsibilities
We are looking for individuals with gardening or growing experience, but enthusiasm and interest in Biodynamics and medicinal herbs is equally important. We work outdoors in all weathers, and duties of this role will include:
* Growing medicinal plants to Demeter standard, under the guidance of the garden manager. This includes sowing, transplanting, crop maintenance, irrigation, weeding, and harvesting.
* Developing and maintaining the Field (and occasionally the HQ site gardens), meeting the needs of production, marketing, and staff welfare, under the guidance of the garden manager. This includes making compost, hedge cutting, pruning, coppicing, and wood chipping.
* Applying and making biodynamic preparations and stirs.
* Ensuring that the garden environment and all equipment are kept safe and tidy, while complying with all Health and Safety regulations.
* Contributing to all staff events hosted by the garden team.
The ideal candidate will thrive in an ever-evolving environment, demonstrating flexibility, resilience, and adaptability as we work in line with weather conditions and company needs.
Closing date: 13th February 2025; however, we reserve the right to close applications early if required.
Interviews will be held on the 19th and 20th February.
Real Living Wage: £12.60 p/h
Benefits
36 days holiday per year, inclusive of bank holidays (pro-rata); healthcare cash plan + EAP; death in service; generous staff discount on our amazing Weleda products; 5 Green days (We have a wonderful natural resource at The Field, and Green Days are a way of making use of our open space for the benefit of co-workers).
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